Women in US Government: Numbers, Trends, and Representation (2026)
Beyond Congress: women in federal agencies, the judiciary, state executives, and local government. Where the progress has been, where it's stalled, and where the next decade's inflections are likely.
By specialty
| Specialty | Women (%) |
|---|---|
| US Senate (women) | 25% |
| US House (women) | 28.7% |
| Federal judges (appointed) | 36% |
| Supreme Court Justices | 44.4% |
| Cabinet Secretaries | 40% |
| State Governors | 24% |
| State Attorneys General | 34% |
| State Legislators (Democratic) | 47.3% |
| State Legislators (Republican) | 20.8% |
| Big-city mayors (top 100) | 28% |
| Federal agency senior executives (SES) | 37% |
Trend
Women's share of federal judicial appointments has grown substantially under the Biden administration — 64% of his judicial appointees through 2024 were women. At current rates, Article III parity is plausible by ~2035.
| Year | Women entering (%) |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 10% |
| 2000 | 21% |
| 2010 | 28% |
| 2020 | 32% |
| 2025 | 36% |
Patient outcomes
Legislative and regulatory research: women policy-makers produce different agendas. Controlling for party, female legislators sponsor more bills on healthcare, education, and family issues; female agency heads are associated with stronger enforcement records on equal-pay and harassment cases.
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In a study of every Congressional district 1984-2004, female members of Congress secured an average of $49M more in federal spending per year for their districts.
Anzia & Berry, AJPS (2011) · 2011
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EEOC resolution rates when led by female directors are 12-18% higher for sex-discrimination charges than during male-led periods, controlling for case volume and type.
Sources
Frequently asked
How many women are in US government overall?
Representation varies by role. Congress 28%, federal judges 36%, Cabinet 40% in current administration, state legislatures 34% average. Federal SES-level career employees are 37% women.
Which branch has the highest female representation?
The current Supreme Court, at 44.4% (4 of 9 Justices). Cabinet-level appointments in the current administration are 40%. State Attorney General offices are 34%. The gap remains widest at state gubernatorial level and US Senate.
Are female legislators more effective?
Meta-analytically yes. Anzia & Berry (2011) found female House members secured $49M more in annual federal spending per district than male members, controlling for tenure and party.
What is the US's global ranking for women in legislature?
77th as of April 2026 (Inter-Parliamentary Union). Rwanda leads at 63.8%; Cuba, Nicaragua, and Mexico follow.
Related stereotypes
Women in US Government — by US state
State-adjusted figures for women in government in each US state and DC.